Here’s another reason to be careful about the websites you’re visiting… even if you were referred there by Google. The problem is that an otherwise innocent site with good search ratings for a popular term might be hacked and send visitors to another site completely to have their data stolen.
From the San Francisco Chronicle
Hackers have turned their attention to search engines in the latest attempt to invade the computers of unsuspecting Web users.
In the past few weeks, they have taken advantage of Web pages that incorrectly use JavaScript, a computer language used in features like interactive maps, to infect thousands of sites. The altered sites show up in a Google search, and when clicked on, redirect the user to a malicious program that aims to steal information.
One goal is to infect users’ computers, possibly by installing a device to capture keystrokes, and therefore passwords and other sensitive information.
Seven out of 10 Web sites are vulnerable to these flaws, according to WhiteHat Security in Santa Clara. It’s unclear, however, how widespread the problem is because many users don’t realize they’ve been infected.
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